Vintage Back-To-School-Flicks: Daddy Long Legs (1955)

 This film is filled with wonderful dance numbers and ballets. This number "Slewfoot" has to be my favorite; It's so fun to watch and the tune is will get stuck in your head!

This is my 2nd favorite musical starring Leslie Caron. Daddy Long Legs is a Back- to- School film wrapped in romantic-musical packaging. It's the story of Jervis Pendleton (Fred Astaire); a wealthy millionaire who travels to Paris, France on business. Unfortunately, his company car becomes a "stick in the mud" (literally). While seeking help, he stumbles into an orphanage where his eyes are opened to the young and lovely Julie Andre (Leslie Caron) who not only teaches there, but is an orphan there herself.

Jervis becomes so enchanted by her that he speaks to the American Ambassador about adopting her. However,she is 18 years old and he is a seasoned bachelor;This would not look good on his behalf nor the state department. So, he then sets up a scholarship to sponsor her, provide for her and send her to Walton College...anonomously. Julie so deperately wants to thank him, but he leaves so quickly that he only gets aglimpse of his shadow(making him look very tall-hence the name "Daddy Long Legs") As she excels in her new American-Colllege life, she pusues meeting and one day living with her Daddy Long Legs.

Things to Love about this film:

*The wonderful renditions of Johnny Mercer's tunes "Dream" and "Somethin's Gotta Give"

*Leslie Caron's Stunning Wardrobe!!!!

*The dream sequences/ballets: They show off Leslie's and Fred's gracefull talent for ballet. The sets and color are also gorgeous. A few of my favorite dream sequences are the Texas Tycoon, Guardian Angel and Hong Kong Cafe.

Enjoy!

Neah B